emergency department.

The three intruders sprayed the Mace in the faces of a woman doctor, a patient, and a Policeman on Thursday night.

And they knocked to the ground another doctor as he battled to protect the patient.

Yesterday horrified King Edward VII Memorial Hospital chiefs described Thursday night's attack as the worst ever.

Just hours after the attack, a nurse was injured by a patient in a separate incident.

They are the latest in a growing spiral of attacks at the hospital.

Now security at the emergency department is to be radically beefed up.

Dr. Edward Schultz, director of emergency services, said access would be severely limited.

"I think the hospital has to seriously restrict entrance to patients and one or two immediate family members,'' he said.

He said he had recommended a "single access'' be set up at night, from 8 p.m.

It would also be in place for weekends and holidays.

Dr. Schultz said the access would be guarded by a security officer during "these high risk times''.

He added a greater Police presence was also planned.

Dr. Schultz said staff estimated it had taken Police seven minutes to get to the scene.

Hospitals Board executive director Mr. Hume Martin said more nighttime Police patrols were on the cards.

Mrs. Kereen Richards, unit-coordinator at the emergency department, said: "Nursing staff are very concerned.'' She said such crimes were increasing around the world, including North America.

Mrs. Richards said the latest incident was even worse than a "near riot'' in 1989 at the hospital.

Police say the three men burst into the emergency department at 8 p.m.

They appeared to be after a man being treated for serious head injuries following a baseball bat attack, said Police spokesman P.c. Gary Venning.

Links with an earlier "domestic incident'' at a home in North Shore, Hamilton Parish, are being probed by Police.

P.c. Venning said a Police officer, and a doctor were sprayed with the chemical mace, a tear-gas like substance.

"Another doctor was physically assaulted as he tried to protect the patient, but he is not believed to have been injured.'' He added a chemical canister was being examined by Police.

Dr. Schultz said the patient was also sprayed with Mace.

And he revealed the woman doctor was suffering badly.

"She is having an unpleasant experience. There is evident irritation of her sinuses, and she is feeling pretty miserable.'' Dr. Schultz said there was no sign of forced entry by the intruders and it appeared staff were taken off guard.

Dr. Schultz said there were already two security officers in the emergency department during "high risk'' times.

One of the problems, however, was that there were "multiple areas of access'' to the department.

It was now thought a single access would have to be created.

Dr. Schultz said an alarm system -- linking the hospital with Police -- was already in place.

But it had been unable to bring immediate Police assistance.

Yesterday the victim of the second emergency department incident, nurse Ms Blanaid O'Connor, appealed to the public to stop the wave of violence.

Ms O'Connor, 38, an Irish woman, was kicked by a patient at 3 a.m. yesterday.

She suffered injuries to her hands and knee.

Ms O'Connor said attacks on staff were increasing at an alarming rate. It was not the first time she had been assaulted.

"I am tired of it. We are trying to help people here, and the public should realise it.'' P.c. Venning said Police were investigating the incident.

Police spokesman Sgt. Roseanda Jones pledged support for the hospital.

"It is unacceptable people who try to help others should be attacked in this way,'' she said. "The Police will do everything possible to help nursing staff.'' Police said two men were helping with inquiries into Thursday night's incident.

One was a 31-year-old Warwick man, and the other a 25-year-old from Pembroke.

Neither had been charged.

WE NEED PROTECTION -- Dr. Edward Schultz, director of emergency services at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital demands action to stem the tide of assaults on staff. Next to him is Mrs. Lucille Parker, director of nursing and patients' services.